System and method for power management in mobile units

ABSTRACT

Described is a method which includes receiving a selection of an application type, selecting a power management class as a function of the application type and adjusting resources of a mobile unit as a function the power management class.

BACKGROUND

Many mobile units (“MUs”) (e.g., cell phones, PDAs, handheld PCs, etc.)are capable of wireless connection to a computer network, such as theInternet, a local network, a corporate network and others. As a result,these MUs do not require any wired connections to carry out theirfunctions (e.g., email, web browsing, etc.). Batteries, particularlyrechargeable batteries, are commonly used to power the MUs, since theyprovide complete freedom of movement to users of these devices.Alternatively, power adapters may be used to power the MUs usingelectrical sockets. However, this approach requires tethering the MUs toa stationary power supply with cords, reducing portability andusefulness.

Several conventional methods of power management have been employedwhich attempt to prolong a life of the battery. These conventionalmethods include power management at user, application, system andhardware levels. For example, at the user level, a user manages power bysuspending or charging the MU when it is not in use. Also, manualadjustment of the peripherals (e.g., display, back-light, beeper) may beaccomplished at the user level. Furthermore, at the application level,developers of the applications have had to design the applications toprovide for power management. Developing power-management-awareapplications requires significant expertise and represents considerablecost to manufacturers and users of the MUs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method which includes receiving a selection of an application type,selecting a power management class as a function of the application typeand adjusting resources of a mobile unit as a function the powermanagement class.

In addition, a method which includes selecting resources of a mobileunit which are utilized by an application loaded on the mobile unit,defining a power-down order of the selected resources and registeringthe application for a power management class of the mobile unit.

Furthermore, a device which includes a processor, a memory storing anapplication and a resource. The application is registered for a powermanagement class and execution of the application by the processorcauses the device to utilize the power management class which providesan adjustment to the resource.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for power management inmobile units according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for registering anapplication for a power management class according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method employing a powermanagement system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to thefollowing description and the appended drawings, wherein like elementsare referred to with the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 1,the present invention may be utilized by a system 5 which includes aserver 10 connected to a communications network 15 (e.g., LAN, WAN). Anaccess point (“AP”) 20 may have a wired connection to the network 15.The AP 20 may provide wireless access to the network 15 for a mobileunit (“MU”) 25 (e.g., cell phone, PDA, laptop, handheld PC, scanner,etc.) through a wireless connection. As would be understood by those ofskill in the art, any number of APs may be connected to the network 15,and any number of MUs may have a wireless connection to the AP 20.

The MU 25 may include one or more peripherals, for example, a display(e.g., LCD), a scanner, a back-light, a communications port, a PCMCIAstorage, a network card, etc. The MU 25 may further include a batterywhich provides power to the MU 25, allowing it to perform variousfunctions utilizing the peripherals and loaded software applications(e.g., web browsing, scanning, wireless communications, etc.). Thebattery may be a rechargeable battery (e.g., Li ion, Li polymer, NiCad,NiMh) or a single-use battery (e.g., alkaline). As understood by thoseskilled in the art, the rechargeable battery may be charged byconnection of the MU 25 and/or the battery to an external power source(e.g., AC source, external battery). Also, the MU 25 may be powered byconnection to the external power source, or a further power source(e.g., a USB port) which the MU 25 may derive power from withoutdischarging the battery. Those skilled in the art would understand thatthe MU 25 may include hardware and/or software to recognize when it isconnected to the external power source or the further power source, andthus, may derive power therefrom instead of the battery.

Each function performed by the MU 25 may be a result of an applicationexecuted by a processor in the MU 25. For example, a web-browsingfunction may be the result of one or more applications related toweb-browsing (e.g., display, controls, network/Internet connection,etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a powermanagement system provides that each application executed by the MU 25may be registered for a power management class (“PMC”). The MU 25 mayinclude any number of PMCs. The PMC may define a power state of the MU25 in which the MU 25 adjusts its operation based on the function thatis being or will be performed. That is, the MU 25 only uses an amount ofpower which is required to perform the function. The PMC may bepredefined (e.g., OEM or developer created), custom (e.g., user created)and/or adaptable (e.g., changeable during operation of the MU 25).

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to a web-browsing application and the web-browsing function.However, those of skill in the art would understand that theweb-browsing application is merely illustrative of the application thatmay be registered for the PMC on the MU 25. Thus, the present inventionprovides for registration of any application (e.g., batch processing,radio communications, scanning, presentation, etc.) which may beexecuted by the MU 25.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MU 25may include the web-browsing application which allows the user of the MU25 to connect to and browse the public Internet (e.g., websites). Theweb browser application may use the peripherals of the MU 25, such as,for example, the display, the back-light and a network interface adapter(e.g., Spectrum24®, developed by Symbol Technologies, Inc., Holtsville,N.Y.). However, other peripherals, such as the scanner and thecommunications port, may not be utilized or may be utilized to a lesserextent during web browsing. Thus, the web-browsing application may beregistered with a PMC which provides power to the display, theback-light and the network interface adapter, but removes power from thescanner and the communications port. The application may be registeredfor the PMC by the developer of the application, the manufacturer of theMU 25 or the user of the MU 25.

An exemplary embodiment of a software code which accomplishesregistration of the web browsing application for the PMC is shown asfollows: typdef struct tagPowerClass { uint AppClass; intEnableManagement; char *DeviceList; } POWERCLASS; POWERCLASSMyPowerClass; char MyDevices[5] ={SCANNER,COMM,BEEPER,KEYBOARD,DISPLAY}; MyPowerClass.AppClass =(PRESENTATION|RADIO) MyPowerClass.EnableManagement = TRUE;MyPowerClass.DeviceList = MyDevices;RegisterApp(AppHandle,MyPowerClass);According to the exemplary embodiment, the display, the back-light andthe network interface adapter are powered for a Presentation PMC,whereas the scanner and the communications are deprived of power in thePresentation PMC. As will be described further below, any number of PMCsmay be utilized by the MU 25, and the PMCs may be predefined and/orcustomized for any number of peripherals, applications, MUs, etc.

An exemplary embodiment of a method 100 for registering the applicationfor the PMC according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. Aswould be understood by those skilled in the art, registration of theapplication may be done by the developer (e.g., programmer) of theapplication, the manufacturer of the MU 25 and/or the user of the MU 25.In this manner, the user is not limited to those applications and/orPMCs that are predefined on the MU 25. The user may alter the predefinedapplications and/or PMCs, and the user may create additionalapplications and/or PMCs to be used by the MU 25. As understood by thoseskilled in the art, alterations to applications and/or user-createdapplications may be distributed to and employed by other MUs whichutilize the network 15.

In step 105, an application type is defined. As understood by thoseskilled in the art, the application may be created (i.e., coded) priorto registration of the application for the PMC. The application typemay, in general terms, indicate the function that the application willperform when executed. For example, the application type may be one or acombination of, for example, a batch processing type, a radio type(e.g., 802.11, Bluetooth), a scan-intensive type, a presentation type,etc. Those of skill in the art would understand that the applicationtype is not limited to those described herein, but may be defined forany function performed by the MU 25. In following the exemplaryembodiment described above with reference to the web-browsingapplication, the application type for the web-browsing application mayindicate that it will perform the presentation type for reasons whichare described below.

In step 110, resources of the MU 25 which the application may utilizeare selected. Resources, as used herein, may encompass any feature ofthe MU 25 including, but not limited to, the peripherals, functions,components (e.g., processor, memory, I/O interface, clock), mechanisms(e.g., auto-disable), settings (e.g., high-speed processing, low-powerback-light), etc. As noted above, the web-browsing application mayindicate that it requires power to the display, the back-light and thenetwork interface adapter, but does not require power to the scanner andthe communications port. Further, the web-browsing application mayindicate the settings for the peripherals. For example, the displayand/or the back-light may be set to a certain brightness. Indication ofthe settings for the web-browsing application may be advantageous if,for example, the MU 25 is used only during daylight. Thus, the settingfor the back-light may be at a lowest power state or not powered.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theapplication may be customized and/or adapted. For example, the MU 25 maybe used for a duration of time during evenings. Accordingly, theweb-browsing application may indicate the setting of the back-lightshould be to a highest power state, which may allow the user to view aset of controls on the MU 25 in a dark or low-light environment.However, if the MU 25 is then used only during the daylight (e.g., theuser switches shifts), the web-browsing application may indicate thesetting for the back-light should be at the lowest power state or notpowered. Therefore, the peripherals, functions, components, mechanismsand/or settings of the MU 25 may be predefined, but can be customizedand/or adapted according to use of the MU 25.

In step 115, the application may define a power-down order for theresources selected. The power-down order may be employed when thebattery is fully or nearly fully discharged, and/or during a period ofinactivity of the MU 25. For example, the power-down order may beemployed prior to the MU 25 executing an auto-disable mechanism, wherebythe MU 25 “turns off” as a result of the battery being fully or nearlyfully discharged and/or during the period of inactivity.

The power-down order may be defined such that power is supplied only tothose resources that are utilized or likely to be utilized to carry outthe function defined by the application. In the exemplary embodiment ofthe web-browsing application, the power-down order may be defined suchthat the resources which are not utilized or not likely to be utilizedby the web-browsing application may be deprived of power prior to thoseresources that are utilized or likely to be utilized. Even when theresources that are not utilized have been completely deprived of power,the power-down order may indicate that the resources which are utilizedmay operate at a lowest power state while maintaining the web-browsingfunction. In this manner, the power-down order for the web-browsingapplication may be as follows (in order of the resource deprived ofpower first): the back-light, the display, the network interfaceadapter. As indicated, the back-light may be completely deprived ofpower before the display is affected. Once, the back-light has beencompletely deprived of power, the power-down order may indicate that thedisplay should be set to the lowest power state (e.g., lowest brightnesslevel) before being completely deprived of power. As would be understoodby those skilled in the art, when the display and/or the networkinterface adapter is completely deprived of power, the web-browsingapplication may cease, until the battery is recharged or replaced.

In step 120, the application is registered for the PMC as a function ofthe application type, the resources selected and/or the power-downorder. As noted above, the web-browsing application may be registeredfor the Presentation PMC. In this manner, once the MU 25 receives anindication that it will be performing the web-browsing function, the MU25 may provide power to the display, the back-light and/or the networkinterface adapter and remove power from the scanner and/or thecommunications port. Thus, the MU 25 may adjust power supplied to theresources based on the indication of the function it will perform.

An exemplary embodiment of a method 200 which employs the powermanagement system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3.In step 205, the MU 25 is turned on. As understood by those of skill inthe art, the MU 25 may be continuously on and simply connected to anexternal power source when not in use (e.g., AC source, externalbattery, etc.). Alternatively, the MU 25 may be turned off or enter apower-save mode when not in use (e.g., end of a workday or a shift) andturned on prior to use. Typically, the MU 25 is removed from theexternal power source when in use, and, as such, relies on the batteryfor power.

In step 210, the application type of the MU 25 may be selected. In oneexemplary embodiment, the user manually selects the application type.For example, at a beginning of the shift, the user may disconnect the MU25 from the external power source, turn on the MU 25, and manuallyselect the application type via a user interface on the MU 25 (e.g., abutton, a touchscreen, a code, etc.). Thus, the MU 25 may present a listof application types to the user and/or the user may enter a code whichindicates the application type. In a further exemplary embodiment, theMU 25 is dedicated to one application type. That is, the MU 25 may beused only for web-browsing, whereas a further MU may be used only forscanning. In this embodiment, the MU 25 may not have display. As such,the application type may be selected at an application boot time througha call to an application program interface (“API”). In yet a furtherexemplary embodiment, the application type may be selected by the server10 and/or a further device connected to the network 15. The applicationtype may then be transmitted to and employed by the MU 25. As would beunderstood by those skilled in the art, the user may be presented withthe application type selected by the server 10. If the application typeis inconsistent with an intended use of the MU 25, the user may overridethe selection and select a further application type.

In step 215, the MU 25 selects the PMC as a function of the applicationtype selected. The MU 25 may further display the PMC selected to theuser. As noted above, if the user selects the application type for theweb-browsing application, the MU 25 may enter the Presentation PMC.Thus, for every application type that may be selected, the PMCcorresponding to the application type is selected by the MU 25. In afurther exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user mayselect more than one application type. For example, the user mayindicate that the MU 25 will be used for both web-browsing and scanning.In this manner, the MU 25 may switch between the PMCS for eachapplication type. That is, when scanning the MU 25 may be in a Scan PMC,whereas the MU 25 switches to the Presentation PMC when web-browsing.Alternatively, the MU 25 may select the PMC which most closelycorresponds to the application types selected by the user. For example,a hybrid PMC may have been defined which manages power for the MU 25when simultaneously web-browsing and scanning. Thus, in either instance,the user need only select the application type to have the MU 25 selectthe PMC.

In yet a further exemplary embodiment, the user may manually select thePMC after selecting the application type. This may occur when, forexample, the user notices that, for some reason, the PMC selected by theMU 25 corresponding to the application type selected by the user is notas efficient (i.e., uses more power, discharges battery faster, etc.) asthe further PMC. Thus, the user may manually select the PMC and/orre-register the application type for the further PMC.

In step 220, the resources of the MU 25 are adjusted based on the PMCselected. With reference to the web-browsing application, thePresentation PMC may be selected. As such, the MU 25 may supply power tothe display, the back-light and the network interface adapter, andremove power from the scanner and the communications port. The PMC mayremain in effect for a duration of time in which the application isbeing used (i.e., while web-browsing) or may potentially be used. Thus,if the battery begins to lose power, the PMC may implement thepower-down order associated with the application type. As stated abovewith regard to selection of the PMC, the user may manually adjust theresources of the MU 25 before or after the PMC is selected. Thus, thePMC is customizable based on experience of the user (e.g., usagestatistics).

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the server10 may provide the MU 25 and any other MU connected to the network 15with the application types and/or the PMCs, and/or adjustments to theapplication types and/or the PMCs. For example, the server 10 mayindicate that the MU 25 should have a further application type and/orthe further PMC. The server 10 may further indicate that the applicationtypes and/or the PMCs should be adjusted. Thus, when the MU 25establishes connection to the network 15, the further application type,the further PMC and/or the adjustments may be transmitted to the MU 25.The server 10 may provide further application types, further PMCs and/oradjustments based on data received from the MUs, developers, users ormanufacturers. As understood by those of skill in the art, the data mayinclude power consumption for the PMC, power consumption for theapplication type, battery life, battery age, etc. For example, theserver 10 may indicate that for batteries past a certain age, theresources used for the applications should be set to the lowest powerstate while remaining functional.

In yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aprogram may be utilized which facilitates registration of theapplication for the PMC. The program may recognize input such as, theapplication type, the resources selected and/or the power-down orderdefined. As a function of the input, the program may select the PMC.Those of skill in the art would understand that the program may make aselection at each step in the registration of the application based onthe input. For example, the application type may be the web-browsingapplication. The program may select and preliminarily adjust resourceswhich may be utilized by the web-browsing application. Then, the programmay define the power-down order for the application based on theapplication type and the selected resources. Finally, the program mayselect the PMC based on the application type, the selected resources andthe power-down order. As would be understood by those skilled in theart, the preliminarily adjustments, the power-down order and/or the PMCmay be customized.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiments, the present inventionsimplifies power management for users and/or applications, whileproviding a sophisticated power management system for an MU. This isaccomplished by relieving users and applications from deciding when andhow to control power. For example, in the past, users would have toconstantly monitor all of the subsystems and make necessary changesthrough a variety of application program interfaces (APIs) and/orGraphical user interfaces (GUIs). The exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention described above allow for the simple registration ofan application for a defined power class and then allowing the powermanager to handler power management for the application.

The present invention has been described with reference to the MU 25,the application, and the PMC. Accordingly, various modifications andchanges may be made to the embodiments without departing from thebroadest spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in theclaims that follow. The specification and drawings, accordingly, shouldbe regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

1. A method, comprising: receiving a selection of an application type;selecting a power management class as a function of the applicationtype; and adjusting resources of a mobile unit as a function the powermanagement class.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein theapplication type is associated with one or more applications executableby the mobile unit.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein theselection of the application type is accomplished by one of a user, aserver, a network device and a further mobile unit.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the selection of the application type isaccomplished via a user interface.
 5. The method according to claim 4,wherein the user interface is one of a button, a touchscreen and a code.6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: presenting alist of application types on a display of the mobile unit.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein more than one application type is selectedand the power management class is selected as a function of the morethan one application types.
 8. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe resources of the mobile unit are at least one of a peripheral, afunction, a component, a mechanism and a setting.
 9. A method,comprising: selecting resources of a mobile unit which are utilized byan application loaded on the mobile unit; defining a power-down order ofthe selected resources; and registering the application for a powermanagement class of the mobile unit.
 10. The method according to claim9, further comprising: associating the application with an applicationtype.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the resources of themobile unit are at least one of a peripheral, a function, a component, amechanism and a setting.
 12. The method according to claim 9, whereinthe application is registered for the power management class as afunction of one of the resources selected and the power-down order. 13.The method according to claim 10, wherein the application is registeredfor the power management class as a function of the application type.14. A device, comprising: a processor; a memory storing an application;and a resource; wherein the application is registered for a powermanagement class, and wherein execution of the application by theprocessor causes the device to utilize the power management class whichprovides an adjustment to the resource.
 15. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising: wherein the application provides apower-down order for the resource.
 16. The device according to claim 14,wherein the application is associated with an application type.
 17. Thedevice according to claim 16, wherein the application is registered forthe power management class as a function of one of the resource and theapplication type.
 18. The device according to claim 16, furthercomprising: a user interface for selecting the application type.
 19. Thedevice according to claim 14, wherein the resource is one or more of aperipheral, a function, a component, a mechanism and a setting.
 20. Thedevice according to claim 14, wherein the adjustment is one of applyingpower to and removing power from the resource.